MITHAS...... A FESTIVE FEEL....

Roshnai... Mithai..... Celebration with crackers..... it is that time of the year again when we lit up our homes n minds both, together. So there should absolutely be no loopholes through which evil can get in .... or to be precise and correct we should not let it come out from within ..... yes, both good and evil are an inside thing... what needs to be taken care of is who wins over whom... Such festivals from time to time.... does help us to refreshen our minds... the entire environment contributes towards it.... The lady who is giving such big talks forgot a total of twelve diyas in the shop today, thanks to The Almighty.... the rest of the things came home safely.... this is nothing unusual with it given her nature.... the condition just aggravated with age and her incapability to deal with her surroundings.... sitting on a train / bus going to the opposite direction of her destination, not been able to recognise known people on the road, no other reasons...... actually she was in another world, also because her observation power is.... nil or null? 

Back to the bygone days, our mother had to listen such complains that her daughter did not talk to the person or at least smiled when she met that person. The world never believes in silly acts, neither does it forgive a small mistake.... better we embrace all complaints and ignore it the next moment.... tough but essential for inner peace..... When she was in high school, her little brother complained to the mother after she returned home one day ... "didibhai washed my clothes, combed my hair, served me food but did not talk to me the entire day"..... a genuine complain indeed..... yet she pledges to the world to let her be herself.... else she gets more confused....

Now that her little brother, now a big man [physically though] is visiting them in two days with his bubbly wife.... do you think she has time for any elaborate cooking this week? Such a busy week with the joy of celebrating Diwali with them and the excitement of having Bhaiphota at this home after six long years. Yet she wished to share a sweet dish with the world, been in tune with her friends though not at par with them. Had she not been this laid back with no urge to excel, she could have at least contribute fruitfully to the society.... but she can always gift you an easy to make, few ingredients, almost no cook sweet. Let me stop talking too much [another sign of aging, haha] and share with you this sweet.... a lingering mithas [sweetness] feel stays during any festival. Done with homemade paneer [Indian Cottage Cheese] mainly,  a great taste is guaranteed.

INGREDIENTS :

Fresh Milk : 1litre
Lemon Juice : 11/2 to 2tbsp
Milk Powder : 1/2 medium sized tea cup
Rice Flour : 1tbsp
Sugar : 1/2 small tea cup
Green Cardamom Powder : 1/2 tsp
Ghee [clarified butter] : 1tbsp
Garnish as you wish

METHOD :

Let us prepare the paneer first. Take the fresh milk in a vessel, switch on the gas stove and bring it to boil.

Just when it is boiling, switch off the gas stove and add the lemon juice. We will see the milk will curdle.

Now strain the whey water through a clean, white cloth. Tie the cloth to your kitchen tap, squeeze the extra water. Let it stand for 20-25 minutes.

Take it down and transfer the paneer to a plate or bowl. Mash and knead for 5-10 minutes.

Transfer the paneer to the blender. To it add the milk powder, sugar and green cardamom powder.

Blend the mixture for 2-3 minutes with intervals scrapping the sides. Transfer to a plate and add 1tbsp ghee to it.

Rub your hands with a drop of ghee and knead the mixture further for 3-4 minutes. At this stage you may need the rice flour to tighten the dough. Knead further for 3-4 minutes.

Take out small portions and shape as desired. Garnish as you wish.

Offer to your God Family and enjoy it whatever the occasion is.